Xi Zhicai was dressed in white, with fluttering sleeves, as if he had been banished to the world.
He is eight feet tall, with a slim build, lively and deep eyes, a straight and tall nose bridge, and a slight smile at the corners of his mouth, giving people a feeling of confidence and calmness, as if he has everything in the world in his chest.
"Cough! Cough!"
Xi Zhicai coughed twice, his chest rising and falling slightly.
Seeing this, Cao Cao's excitement of just taking Hangu Pass suddenly disappeared. A flash of worry flashed across his face, and he hurriedly asked: "Zhicai, you are not in good health, and I asked you not to follow me, but you insist on doing so."
Come."
Xi Zhicai waved his hand and said: "My lord, I have an old problem. It's okay. I'll be fine in a while."
When Cao Cao heard Xi Zhicai's words, he felt very unhappy.
When the princes were fighting against Dong, he was assisted by Xun Yu, who later recommended Xi Zhicai. Cao Cao began to rise with the assistance of Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu. One of them was in charge of internal affairs, and the other was in charge of military affairs. They complemented each other, making Cao Cao
It quickly took off and its power was no weaker than that of Yuan Shao, Liu Biao and others, so Cao Cao was very worried when he saw Xi Zhi Cai fell ill.
He thought for a while and gritted his teeth and made a decision.
Cao Cao learned from Xun Yu that Guo Jia was also seriously ill. However, Xun Yu had met Guo Jia when he was attacking Dong Zhuo. At that time, Guo Jia was in good health and had apparently cured his illness. So after Cao Cao arrived in Chang'an, he
Prepare to ask Wang Can for advice, rescue Xi Zhicai, and protect the lives of his counselors.
The two sides have not yet become enemies. Cao Cao and Wang Can have a good personal relationship, and he feels that there is still a great opportunity.
After a pause, Cao Cao ordered: "Come here, take the military advisor down to rest."
"promise!"
The soldier protecting Xi Zhicai replied and took Xi Zhicai down.
At this time, the shouts of killing inside and outside Hangu Pass had gradually subsided. The army led by Cao Cao began to clean up the battlefield, while the cavalry quickly eliminated the enemies.
Xiahou Dun rode his horse back to Cao Cao and said hurriedly: "My lord, Han Bing fled in a hurry. It is impossible to set up an ambush. Our cavalry speeds up to catch up with Han Bing. We will definitely kill Han Bing in one fell swoop. Why did you ask us to stop?"
What?" Xiahou Dun said with a hint of complaint in his tone.
Xia Houdun followed Cao Cao when the princes challenged Dong, and he was related to Cao Cao, so he had no scruples about what he said.
Cao Cao said sternly: "Yuanrang, the sky is dark, and Hangu Pass has two roads. The road is narrow and dangerous, making it difficult to gallop on horseback. This situation is not suitable for fighting. If you lead the troops in pursuit, it will be too risky if you don't occupy the right time and location.
Besides, don’t pursue the enemy when you are poor. Once the Xiliang soldiers are pushed into danger, you may also be in danger."
Xiahou Dun curled his lips, but said no more.
The army cleared the battlefield and then began to set up camp and rest.
Cao Cao told Xiahou Dun and Xia Houyuan to be on guard, rewarded Le Jin, and then took Xu Chu to the tower of Hanguguan Pass. Hangu Pass was tall and majestic, and there were special bedrooms for resting on the tower. Cao Cao went to the bedroom,
After washing up, he did not rest directly. He sat on the bed and actually took out a military book and read it carefully.
This was Cao Cao's habit. No matter where he went, he was accustomed to reading.
In the bedroom, Cao Cao read by candlelight.
"Boom! Boom!"
Outside the bedroom, there was a gentle knock on the door. Immediately, a slightly hoarse voice sounded outside the door: "Master, it's me." This voice belonged to Xi Zhicai.
After hearing this, Cao Cao raised his head and said: "The door is not locked, come in!"
He was a little confused, and it was already deep. Xi Zhicai had gone to rest before, so why did he come back to him?
The door creaked, and Xi Zhi strode in.
When Cao Cao saw Xi Zhicai, he was about to bow to him, and quickly waved his hand and said, "Sit down, no need to be polite." However, Xi Zhicai still bowed to Cao Cao in a neither humble nor overbearing manner, then lifted up his robe and sat down in the room.
Cao Cao asked: "Zhicai, what's the important matter for your visit late at night?"
Xi Zhicai looked a little solemn and said: "My lord, there is indeed something important. I have been thinking carefully these days and feel that this trip to Chang'an may not be so smooth. Now that three armies are rushing to Chang'an, it is possible that my lord will arrive first.
, maybe Wang Can arrived first, or maybe Ma Teng arrived first. If the other two lead the troops to attack Chang'an, what will the lord do?"
Cao Cao didn't know why and asked: "Zhicai, why did you think of asking this?"
Xi Zhicai said: "My lord, if Wang Can takes charge of Chang'an, or Ma Teng takes charge of Chang'an, both of them may recruit the lord into Chang'an as an official. If such a thing happens, how should my lord deal with it?"
In one sentence, Cao Cao's face changed drastically.
Cao Cao looked at Xi Zhicai, his expression uncertain.
If it had been when Cao Cao had just left the feudal lords to challenge Dong, Wang Can or Ma Teng took charge of the court and recruited Cao Cao to serve as an official. He would have agreed directly without even thinking about it. Now Cao Cao is already the shepherd of Yanzhou, guarding one side.
He is one of the few tyrannical figures in the world. As his power increases, his desire for power also increases day by day.
As the saying goes, a man cannot live without rights, especially when a person enjoys the benefits of rights, he is even less likely to give up the rights he already possesses.
Cao Cao is broad-minded and ambitious, and will never give up on Yanzhou easily.
After pondering for a long time, Cao Cao did not answer Xi Zhicai, but asked: "What does Zhicai think I should do?"
Cao Cao did not answer, but he had already answered.
When Xi Zhicai heard this, a smile appeared on his slightly pale cheek. If Cao Cao was really willing to give up Yanzhou Mu and join the court as an official who was constrained everywhere, Xi Zhicai would have to carefully consider the future.
Today's world is not a time of peace and prosperity, in which the central officials of the imperial court are respected. However, in troubled times, the giants on the pastoral side are the ones who have the right to speak. The imperial officials have empty names but no rights at all, like Cao Cao and Wang Can.
He will not stay in the court as an official, but will choose to dominate outside.
Xi Zhicai took a deep breath, straightened his body, sat upright, and asked: "My lord, do you have the courage to attack Chang'an?"
"What, attack Chang'an?"
Cao Cao exclaimed, with a look of astonishment on his face.
He has always regarded reviving the Han Dynasty as his own mission. No matter when he was in decline or now when he is in power, Cao Cao's ambition has not changed. However, attacking Chang'an is too bold and scary. Chang'an is the capital of the Han Dynasty.
, is the center of the imperial court. If he storms Chang'an, he will not only risk being criticized by the people in the world, but also may be labeled as a rebel.
Cao Cao thought for a while, cupped his fists and said, "Please Zhicai teach me!"
Xi Zhicai smiled when he heard this and said loudly: "If my lord disobeys the emperor's orders and moves the capital to Yanzhou, and at the same time controls the power of the government, he will be criticized by the people in the world, because the officials in the court have no power, and the lord will definitely be criticized."
After hearing this, Cao Cao nodded in agreement.
Xi Zhicai continued: "If the emperor is held hostage by Wang Can or Ma Teng, it will be very detrimental to the lord, so the lord cannot let them leave Chang'an. As long as anyone takes control of Chang'an, the lord will issue a proclamation saying that they are holding the emperor hostage and bullying all officials.
"Since I have no superior, my lord has raised an army to clear the emperor's side, eliminate the treacherous ministers, and attack Chang'an with a righteous army."
After a pause, Xi Zhicai said: "If the lord is willing to give up Yanzhou and become an official in the court, it might not be a good way to protect himself wisely." As he spoke, Xi Zhicai had a joking smile on his face.
Cao Cao's black eyes were bright and sparkling with crazy eyes.
Xi Zhicai's words broke a layer of defense in Cao Cao's heart and aroused his ambition.
No matter what, he will be criticized. He is so scared!
The tiger is coming down the mountain.
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